Getting your ghost on and unleashing your inner ghoul is big business for Canadian retailers, but the current economy is scaring off consumers. A recent survey says that consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween, down 15% from last year.

"The economy has caught up to Halloween this year," says Tracy Mullin, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation. "Since retailers know that Americans will be looking to celebrate on a budget, there’s no doubt we will see creative costume and decorating ideas in every price point imaginable."

The Retail Council of Canada has not reported any spending gains over the 2008 Halloween season for trick-or-treaters on this side of the border.

To help you have a howl of a Halloween without creeping out your cash, here are five frugal tips for tricking out your candy, costume, and party this Hallows' Eve.

1. Don't say "Boo" to Bulk Bins

Stop shrieking over the cost of Halloween candy. Big savings can be found by shopping for treats in the bulk food bins. Safely wrapped candy bars and toffees can be had for 10-60% off the cost of the same candies in expensive packaging on store shelves. So skip the supermarket aisles and bulk up on treats from the generic bins. The savings won't scare you, promise.

2. Make Freakish Foods with Your Kids

Get your fingers messy by making some scary and fun Halloween foods with your kids as a weekend activity. Fun Halloween fare can be made healthfully and frightfully on a frugal budget, and keeping the little ones busy for a few hours is priceless.

Make a Freakish Frog with Fly: Carve up an apple, get a spoon full of nut butter, add a fruit leather tongue, and stick some raisins with almond wings and you've got yourself one scary (and tasty) frog to make your kids howl with delight.

Check out these radical recipes Gross, Easy, and Fun Halloween Foods for Kids for more scary ideas.

3. Create Costumes that Don't Cost

It's not hard to save a few toonies by going loonie for your current wares. Chances are your best costume ever is already hiding in your closet. Here are some quick and cheap costume ideas already lurking in the depths of your wardrobe:

• Dress as a decade. Got a leather jacket and a pair of jeans? Go as the 50s! If you've got a set of platform shoes and a pair of bell bottoms, then you're the 70s.
• Coordinate in a color. Do you wear lots of pink, blue, green, or orange? Then become a blast of colour and tell everyone you've "gone green" or you're "tickled pink".
• Get in uniform. If you've ever played on a sports team or been in a band then you've got an instant costume. Or throw on some face paint and be a sports fan.

If you're still stuck, try these no-sew Halloween costume ideas.

4. Be the Halloween Host

Offering to host the Halloween party can be a sneaky way to keep your costs in check. Inviting your friends over for a potluck is an easy way to cater your event for free. Besides, staying home cuts out taxi fares and money-hungry parking meters.

5. Decorate Your Halloween Digs on a Dime

Gracious Halloween party hosts have endless ways to decorate on a dime. If you're throwing a party, set an eerie mood inside with some inexpensive and colourful novelty light bulbs. Carve a few pumpkins, set up some used candles, and legally download free music to set a scary tone.

To stage your lawn for Halloween night, just stuff some leaves into an orange garbage bag and get the kids to decorate the bag with scary faces. Or make your own headless body by stuffing worn clothing into an old plaid shirt and a pair of jeans. Don't forget to add a pair of boots to really give your neighbours the creeps.

Celebrating Halloween the frugal way is simple if you give yourself the time to plan and the creativity to shop inside your home for costumes and decorations.

Your Turn: Got any tips for celebrating a frugal Halloween?

: 4:15 AM